The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-05
CHAPTER Y

found, Ross was the executor OF the
estate, and had a right to sell the poor
old man.
CHAPTER V.
A being of beauty she fell TO her dreaming
Thought fitted in gleauings of light through her
brain
In the depths of her eve it was constantly cleaning
Still lighting her soul with soft visions again.
The will of Daniel Clark vas never
found, and the vast inheritance that
should have been his child's became the
spoil of those who had crept ike vipers
along his life-path, poisoning every pure
blossom that sprang up to bless him on
his way 10 the grave.
His wife was bereft of everything but
her sorrowful memories. His child had
not even these. To her, father, mother,
all was dream-an idea that had
floated through her infant memory, and
was gone.
Years went by-many years-and
then in one of the most splendid man
sions of Philadelphia, lay fair young
girl half arrayed in her morning cos
tune, and but partially aroused from
one eff those sweet dreams that of late
had made her sleep vision of love.
While lifting the wealth of her brown
hair between both her small hands in
dressing before her mirror that morning,
she had been taken with one of those
rich CLEANS of thought that are the poe
try of youth, and allowing the tresses
to fall over her 81 ght person again,
where, in their wonderful and bright
abundance, they fell almost to her feet,
she had sGolen thoughtfully to couch
in her boudoir, and cast herself upon
the crimson cushions.
There, with some loose drapery gath
cred around her, one fair cheek resting
in the palm of her hand, and the white
arm half veiled by these loosened tresses,
pressed deep in the silken cushions, the
young girl fell into reverie. Perhaps
the dream from which she had just
been aroused still haunted her mind,
but it would have been difficult for
Myra to have said what were the strange
and sweet fancies that foated through
her mind at that moment; for her own
thoughts were mystery, her feelings as
vague as they were pure. These sort of
day-dreams, when they come to our first
| youth, have much of Heaven in them !;
if they could only endure through life
| always bright, always enyeloped in the
same rosy mist.
| Man might forget to dream of Heaven,
And yet have the sweet sin forgiven.
Myra was aroused from her day dream,
nos rudely as some of our fancies are
| broken, but by light football, and a
| soft voice that called her name from the
inner room. The young girl started up /:
| Mother, mother, Is it you? Am /
very late tdis morning."
"Oh, you are here, daughter" said a
middle-aged and gentle lady, as she en-
tered The boudoir. "No, not very late,
but do you know that your father has
| just arrived, and is inquiring for you"
"My father here, and | not half ready
| to go DOWN. cried Myra, eagerly gather
| ing up her hair, while, with the wonder
full mobility natural to her features, the
whole tone of her face changed. The
dreamy, almost languid expression van
ished in an instant. The warm glow of
her affectienate nature broke through
every feature like fame hidden in the
heart of pearl.
| Her cheek, her mouth, her white
| forehead, were full of animation; her
brown eyes spark led with delight.
With her whole being she loved the
man whom she believed to be her father,
and for the gentle woman who stood
gazing upon her with so much affection
as her toilet was completed, Myra' 8
devotion was almost more than the
natural love of child for its mother
Scarcely minute elapsed before the
young girl was ready to go down.
/ Another minute and she was in the
arms of a fine and noble looking man,
who stood by the breakfast-room door
eagerly watching for her. During many
weeks he had been absent from his
home, and he could not feel thorough,
welcomed back again while Myra was
not by to greet him.
1t was joyous family party that
gathered around the breakfasts table that
morning.
The eyes of that gentle wife wandered,
with look of grateful affection, from
the noble face of her husband to meet
the sparkling glance of her child; for
Myra was more than a child to her.
Rejolced to be once more in the bosom
of his family, Mr.. d. was more than
usually animated and agreeable There
was not hidden thought or a disunited
feeling in the little family group.
"And whom have you had to visit you
since l went away, Myraf What new
conquest have you made? Tell me al
about it child" said Mr.. D., smiling, a:
he received the coffee-cup of Seyre:
china from the hands of his wife,
Myra laughed-a clear, ringing laugh
that had more of hearty glee in it thar
anything you ever heard.
"Oh, we have had crowds of visitors
gallants without number. Ladies like
swarm of humming birds, and-and-
oh, yes; we had one very singular anC
romantic person, a namesake and init
mate friend of yours, papa. | wrote
you about him, but you never mentioned
him at all IN your reply"
: "Oh, yes; / remember" said Mr.. d.
"a grave, gentlemanly old man, will
just gray hairs enough to make him in
!, teresting, and the most winning manners
. He carried a little Bible with a golc
l clasp in his bosom-I remember tn,
: description WELL
) "What of him, Myra7 You lost you
!, heart, of that the letter told me e;-but
who was this mysterious person? Pray
!, enlighten me-"
Myra and her mother exchanged
!, glanees. A faint crimson broke owe
Q the elder lady's face, and the young CIR
looked a little puzzled
aWhy, papa, how strangely you talk
! This gentleman knows you well; he is
member of the Legislature, and his sea
is close by yours in the house." sal,
4 Myra-
Nonsense, child; there is but on
3 man of my name in the house, and b
has not been absent from Harrisburg
T day during the session; besides, he ha
not white hair in his head, and neve
3 carries small Bibles with gold clasps t,
9 exhibit to young ladies' You have ha,
t some impostor here. What did the in
{ teresting gentleman want7"
4 He had lost portmanteau that con
q tanned his money and clothes" faltere,
; Myra-
el "All but the little Bihle,v cried be
Z father, with q laugh.
t And so, continued the young cir
blushing, "as he was namesake q
: yours and out of money, he only desire.
q mamma to advance him . small sum.
i sAnd she did it'll BE- sworn 81
!, did itp cried Mr.. D., enjoying ii